Our Story

The first thing you'll notice about Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon is an amazing blend of voices, offering up real songs and real stories from very real hearts. Rootsy acoustic guitar blends with beautiful vocal harmonies to form a backdrop for lyrics that explore life, love and the pursuit of something real. Listen as this couple weaves reality with hope, around musical styles that range from folk Americana to sophisticated, smooth R&B.

"Fantastic live performance. Its amazing that so much warmth can come from just two guitars and two voices."

 -- Eric Behlmer, Barn Concerts

With a gift for delivering the essence of a song, Barnett's voice has been called angelic - but with the ability to 'turn down the sheets.' Sometimes you hear the honeyed tones of Mary Chapin Carpenter, and sometimes you hear hints of Sade.

Newlon's guitar encircles the song as he finds his way between the notes with delicacy and strength. His fluid, full guitar and vocal arrangements are the result of a long and varied musical journey from his rock beginnings (sharing a stage with the Doors) combined with his background in musical theatre and barbershop, to the country rock sound of Aspen in the late 1970s and more recently through blues, country and modern folk. All of these influences have shaped his unique, contemporary acoustic style.

"In a world of fast food and empty calories, Bev and Greg are real food. Their songs speak their truth - and do it well." 

-- Cosy Sheridan

About Any Doorway Will Do

Their newest release, Any Doorway Will Do, presents an enthralling collection of songs from a contemporary acoustic duo who sounds almost as much in love with the music as they are with each other. 

"Skillful, crystalline guitar, superb songwriting and soulful, harmonious vocals characterize this acoustic masterpiece. Greg Newlon & Bev Barnett have touched all the bases here. Bev has a voice that soars to great heights with outstanding range and command, while Greg has a sturdy, powerful voice that connects with everyone who listens. Together they create beautiful harmonies with more than a touch of sweetness."

-- David Stafford, KKUP 91.5 FM

Any Doorway Will Do is a collection of songs about life, love, and the pursuit of something real. The listener joins these two songwriters on a journey through doorways of words and music as they chronicle lives filled with joy, marked with sorrow and illuminated by hope. Clearly, there is a wealth of life experience in their words and melodies that can be felt as much as heard. The album title comes from Roll with the Punches, the couple's anthem for living life one day at a time:

"… and if it's raining, any doorway will do...
You've got to roll with the punches
You've got to keep your eye on a star
You've got to dream like there's no tomorrow
You've got to be just who you are …"

Eight of the 12 tracks on Any Doorway Will Do were co-written by the couple with the remaining four penned individually, providing further insights into each writer. Their individual styles are a unique complement to each other both vocally and from a songwriting perspective.

Greg maps a quest for knowledge and humility on "Revelation Isle," with the lines, "I know I am unworthy / a pauper at your door."  In "Now is What We are," Bev presents a case for staying present, with the sage advice "just take the gifts that have been left here at your feet / and look with love on every stranger that you meet / 'cause now is what we are."

As a songwriter, Bev will obsess over an idea. "She'll latch on to something she wants and just play it – one chorus, four lines - for a month," Greg says. "I say just finish the song!  She comes from a words standpoint while I have to have the music first. I'll pick up a guitar and play a riff, and the song presents itself from there." Bev's blueprints are embellished by Greg's musical expertise. "I make it so she can't play it," he laughs. "It's a job security thing."

Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon are troubadours on a new frontier, baby boomers who grew up on great music and now create it to share with a growing audience of similar souls; the generation with a wealth of life experience whose search continues.

Acoustic, contemporary, meaningful and uplifting - and with as many questions as answers - Any Doorway Will Do offers shelter and solace to seekers and skeptics alike.